Career Growth: Senior Staff in a Big Organisation Vs Leadership Role in a Smaller One

Career decisions are not always black and white. Sometimes the toughest choices are not between a “good” and a “bad” option, but between two good options that lead in very different directions.

Recently, a woman came to me for career counselling. She had been in the teaching profession for 13 years and currently worked in one of the most respected schools in her city. Over the years, she had built a reputation as a committed educator and was now a senior staff member in her school.

Then came an unexpected offer, one that could change her career path, and that was where her issue came from.

The Offer That Sparked the Dilemma

A smaller, less-known school approached her to take on the role of School Head. This new school was not at the same standard as her current one. It lacked the same name recognition, infrastructure, and prestige. At the time, the salary had not even been discussed yet, though she hoped it would at least match her current earnings.

Her question to me was simple:

Should I leave a well-established school where I’m respected but not leading, for a smaller school where I will be in charge?

This question is not unique to her, neither is it to the educational sector. Whether you’re in banking, IT, public service, or any other field, you might face a similar decision at some point.

This is the reason why I am putting up this article; to help you make the right choice when faced with the same. But do you know many people will end up choosing the bigger organization?

Why Many People Choose the Bigger Organisation

When faced with such a choice, most people instinctively choose to stay in the bigger, more prestigious organisation. These people focus on brand name, perceived job stability, and access to better resources, than the bigger and better career future that going the other way may bring.

And yes, these factors have value. A big organisation can boost your professional credibility in the short term; it can provide you exposure to high standards and best practices; and not to mention the networking opportunities with well-connected colleagues that it comes with.

However, there’s one major trade-off: the scope of your role and the limit it has on your career growth.

The Real Difference: Position vs. Organisation Size

When you compare the two options, the most important distinction isn’t the organisation’s name, it’s the role itself.

On the one hand:

In her current position as a senior staff member in a large, well-known school/organization, she operates within a structure where major decisions are made above her.

She has influence, but how about career growth? It is limited, and her progression depends on waiting for openings that may take years to appear.

The prestige of the school’s name would surely works in her favour, but it doesn’t change the fact that she is still reporting to someone else.

On the other hand

In the smaller school’s offer, the title of School Head puts her in an entirely different position. She would be the one setting the direction, making strategic and policy decisions, managing people, and carrying the responsibility for the school’s performance.

It’s a role that signals leadership at the highest level, giving her immediate access to experiences and achievements that could transform her CV and open doors to bigger opportunities in the future.

Note this that in many cases, the authority and scope of your role will influence your career growth far more than the size or prestige of the organisation you work for.

Here’s a more simplified comparison for you to better understand:

How a Title Can Change Your Future Opportunities

Now here is the main point you should never forget: when recruiters or decision-makers review CVs, they often look at the title first, before the organization from which that title is earned.

A senior staff title in a prestigious organisation still signals mid-level responsibility. A School Head title, on the other hand, signals top-level leadership experience regardless of the organisation’s size.

For her, taking the role of School Head could mean:

• Becoming eligible for principal, director, or senior administrator roles in larger schools.
• Qualifying for education consultancy, NGO school projects, or policy-making roles.
• Having measurable leadership results to strengthen her applications.

In simple terms, her next career opportunities would no longer be “supporting” roles, they would be leading roles.

Thinking Beyond the Present Organisation

And this is what you should be doing when faced with decisions such as this: THINK BEYOND YOUR PRESENT ORGANIZATION. It’s important to remember that moving to a smaller organisation doesn’t mean you’ll be there forever. Many professionals use such positions as stepping stones, and you should, too.

Here’s what could happen in just 2–3 years if, being in her shoes, you took a School Head role:

1. You builds a portfolio of results:

In this new role, every decision you makes would directly shape the school’s performance. Over time, you could point to tangible outcomes such as improved student results, a stronger curriculum, better teacher productivity, and even a rise in enrolment numbers.

These measurable successes wouldn’t just be internal wins; they would become clear evidence of your ability to lead and deliver results, something highly valuable when applying for future roles.

2. You gains high-level management experience

As a senior staff member, your responsibilities are significant but still limited in scope. But as a School Head, you would be responsible for the entire operation, from overseeing budgets and resource allocation to shaping academic policies and managing staff performance.

She would be the one approving initiatives, resolving conflicts, and setting the tone for the organisation’s culture. This kind of comprehensive and valuable leadership experience is difficult to gain without stepping into a top role.

3. You becomes more competitive for bigger leadership roles

When hiring for senior positions, organisations look for leaders who have already carried full responsibility. With “School Head” on her CV, along with a list of achievements under her leadership, she would be taken far more seriously for roles like principal, director, or education consultant in larger and more prestigious institutions.

Instead of being seen as a capable support staff, she would be recognised as a proven leader ready to take on bigger challenges. This is a long-term growth strategy, not just a job change.

But Should You Jump, Yet?

Well, maybe! But as part of your due diligence, here are some questions I'd advise asking before making the move. This is because not every leadership role in a smaller organisation is worth taking. Here’s a checklist that can guide such decisions:

Will you have real authority to make decisions?

A leadership title means little if you don’t have the power to act. Before stepping into a new role, especially in scenarios like this, you need to be sure you can make key decisions without constantly seeking approval for every small change.

If every move you make has to be signed off by someone else, you may find yourself carrying the pressure of leadership without the freedom to lead effectively.

Will the owners or board support your leadership?

Even with authority on paper, your success depends heavily on the backing of those above you. If the school’s owners or governing board frequently override decisions or resist change, your ability to drive progress will be limited.

True support means they trust your judgement, give you space to work, and stand behind you when challenges arise.

Is there room to create measurable achievements?

Leadership roles are most valuable when they allow you to leave a clear mark. You should be able to introduce new strategies, improve results, or launch initiatives that can be measured and tracked.

These achievements not only improve the organisation but also give you concrete evidence of your impact when you apply for future roles.

Does this role align with your future goals?

Before making a move, think about where you ultimately want to be. If your ambition is to become a principal, director, or CEO, will this new role help you build the skills, experience, and network you’ll need to get there? If it doesn’t bring you closer to that destination, it may not be the right step, no matter how appealing it looks today.

If the answers are mostly positive, then the smaller organisation’s leadership role may be the smarter career choice.

Why This Applies to Every Career Field

This principle is not limited to teaching alone. It applies across professions: It could be leaving a large bank as a senior officer to become branch manager in a smaller one; or leaving a big tech company as a team member to lead a project in a startup; or leaving a major government department as a desk officer to head a smaller agency.

In each case, the key shift is from supporting to leading.

The Risk of Staying Too Comfortable

One of the biggest dangers in career growth is staying too comfortable. You might enjoy stability and recognition in a big organisation, but years can pass without you ever getting the kind of leadership experience that makes you competitive for top roles.

Recruiters hiring for directors, heads, or managers often prefer candidates who have already led teams and made strategic decisions. Without such experience, you may always be seen as “support staff” rather than a leader.

The Right Question to Ask

When faced with such a choice, stop asking:

“Is this organisation big enough for me?”

And start asking:

“Will this role make me bigger?”

Career growth is not just about the prestige of your current employer. It’s about building a track record that positions you for where you want to go next.

My Final Words

In my advice to her, I told her two things:

First, trust God for direction, because career decisions affect more than just your CV; they affect your life.

Second, if she was truly seeking career growth, accepting the School Head role could be the smarter move.

Even if the school wasn’t as prestigious as her current one, the leadership experience could open doors that staying in her current role never would.

The organisation’s name may open some doors today, but your title and achievements will open far bigger doors tomorrow.